Part-Time Usher

Title: Usher

Department: Audience Experience
Reports to: Guest Services Manager

Summary:

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly is seeking an upbeat, customer service-oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced performing arts environment. Ushers assigned to the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, or Kimmel Center will work a variety of events in their own building and may have the opportunity to work at the other two venues. As the first line of interaction with our audience members, the ushers are responsible for collecting admission tickets and passes, showing audience members to their seats, handing out playbills, stuffing programs, searching for lost articles, and providing audience members with directions.

Essential Functions:

• Provide exceptional customer service
• Greet audience members attending entertainment events
• Support the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly mission and our customer service common purpose
• Count and record number of tickets collected and examine tickets or passes to verify authenticity
• Assist audience members in finding seats, lighting the way with flashlights, if necessary
• Aid with audience members' special needs, including helping those with wheelchairs
• Provide information about the building
• Guide audience members to exits or provide other instructions or assistance in case of emergency or evacuation
• Maintain order and ensure adherence to safety rules
• Settle seating disputes or help solve other audience concerns
• Distribute programs to audience members
• Stuff programs with marketing materials and/or program information
• Search for lost articles
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Excellent customer service skills
• Prior experience providing customer service in a busy environment
• Theater or performing arts experience preferred
• Ability to deal with Guests in a gracious, informed, and respectful manner
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to problem solve under pressure
• Must be 18 or older

Environment, Physical demands and other conditions:

• Availability to work a varied schedule including daytime, evenings, weekends, and holidays as performance schedule requires
• Availability to commit to working 65% of shifts in assigned building
• Responsible for maintaining individual schedule, which requires access to a personal smart phone or computer
• Ability to stand/walk for long periods of time up to five (5) hours
• Ability to comfortably navigate multiple levels of the venue, including upper balconies, stairs, and elevated seating areas, is required.
• This is a union (I.A.T.S.E. Local B29) position
• A uniform will be provided if usher maintains Regular status
• Must be able to attend orientation and training sessions

Resume and cover letter required.

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly (POEA) bring together one of the world's preeminent orchestras with the iconic venues that have anchored Philadelphia's cultural life for nearly 170 years. As owner and operator of the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the programming partner for the historic Forrest Theatre, POEA serves as a cornerstone of the city's artistic and civic identity, welcoming one million people annually to a vibrant constellation of stages across Center City. Representing both the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and a dynamic roster of resident partners and visiting artists, POEA presents more than one-thousand events annually that represent a wide range of programming, including Broadway, classical, comedy, theater, jazz, dance, and family presentations, reflecting and serving the breadth of the region's communities. Through innovative programming, robust educational initiatives, deep commitment to diverse communities, and expanding digital platforms, POEA acts as a convener and civic partner-bringing people together, fostering dialogue, and creating an expansive, inclusive future for the arts in Philadelphia and beyond.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or disability status. Employees are expected to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, with or without job modification/reasonable accommodation. If an employee believes a job modification/reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources so that a review can be conducted. POEA strives to comply with the accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other related federal, state, and local laws.